Sunday, November 28, 2010

Cassidian Radar for German F125 Frigates

Cassidian, the recently renamed defence and security division of EADS, is equipping the German Navy’s new F125 stabilisation frigates with their newly developed TRS-4D/NR radar, which detects movements on the sea and in the air with previously unattainable precision.

Cassidian has received an order for four naval radars and one land-based system from Blohm & Voss Naval GmbH, in Hamburg, Germany.

“Maintaining safety at sea and the protection of our ships requires high-performance sensors which can always guarantee an ideal overview of the situation,” explains Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Cassidian Electronics. “Our radars have shown in operational service that they represent the right answer to these complex requirements.”

With its name, the TRS-4D symbolises the step from the conventional system design of the TRS-3D into a “new dimension”. The TRS-4D radar is based on a new aerial concept and the latest radar technology which, in comparison to conventional radar systems, enables completely new options for location and surveillance. For the new F125 frigates, each radar is installed with four fixed, i.e. non-rotating, aerial panels. The TRS-3D on the other hand works with a rotating aerial.

The radar works using the technology of electronic beam scanning (E-Scan), which is deployed for both conventional, mechanically rotating aerials and immovably mounted radar aerial panels such as those used on the F125. Four aerial panels are distributed here between two ship’s masts, each carrying two panels. Due to the real-time electronic control of the beam, this radar can carry out several reconnaissance tasks at the same time. For example, it can do a long-range scan of the sea and airspace while simultaneously concentrating on tracking individual targets. In comparison to conventional radars it thus achieves a significantly higher surveillance and detection efficiency and reliability.

The radar’s performance is essentially based on numerous transmitter and receiver modules in the aerial, which are made from materials especially suitable for high frequencies. Cassidian is the pioneer of this technology in Europe. It supports the production of the most varied beam shapes – a feature which contributes to its operational performance and flexibility. This technology also takes account of the requirements for intensive use on board the F125 frigates. From 2016, the four F125 frigates of the “Baden-Württemberg” class should replace the F122 “Bremen” class ships.